MOTU has unveiled the latest version of its mobile FireWire audio interface, the Traveler-mk3. The device now offers V-Limit signal overload protection, hi-Z guitar inputs, a 32-bit floating-point DSP and two banks of optical inputs and outputs. The traveler can be bus-powered directly from a notebook or desktop computer, or attached to an external battery pack if needed. The system allows all 28 inputs and 30 outputs to be used simultaneously.

Users can record analog signals with resolutions up to 192kH, from four TRS or combination XLR/TRS mic connections, or input digital signals up to 96kHz using ADAT optical, AES/EBU or S/PDIF formats. The four combo inputs provide hi-Z guitar input or low-Z XLR mic connections with preamps, phantom power, pad, and gain options.

The V-Limit overload protection prevents clipping and artifacts from signals that exceed limits by up to +12 dB. A soft clip option can be set to engage before the signal exceeds the V-Limit level to reduce the perceived distortion, according to MOTU.

The Traveler-mk3 is expected to begin shipping in the first quarter of 2009. The device will come packaged with AudiDesk 3 workstation software for Mac. The program allows recording, editing, mixing, 32-bit effects processing and sync functions.